First time I’ve been out without an umbrella & it’s raining. Finally! It’s been so hot and humid.

There is so much smoke in the sky from forest fires in Sumatra. It’s horrible. I haven’t seen blue sky since Thursday in Adelaide.

I’m enjoying spending time on my own and I have so much more confidence as a solo traveller than when I was first overseas on my own in 2000. There’s no way I would have jumped on the metro at 7pm at night to see what was at a certain stop.

Did I mention the walking (& the blister!!!), there’s been so much walking. Museums, galleries, shopping centres, historical districts, gardens.

Tonight I’m heading to Changi Airport where I’ll be checking in for my Singapore to London flight. 13 hours. I hope I can get some sleep. With any luck I might even get a shower before I get on the plane!

My Dad’s got Parkinson’s and I feel like he’s accepting it better than I am.

He’s been diagnosed for 7 years now so I should be used to it.

I feel ripped off. He’s a great bloke. It’s not bloody fair and I’m angry and sad and I feel helpless. Sometimes he can’t walk in the mornings and he gets stuck in doorways and he can’t do all the things we used to do together.

I’m about to head overseas (this coming Saturday) on a trip for two months that’s been organised for ages so I’m staying at my parents place this week. It’s really hit me how his condition has deteriorated. I feel selfish to be travelling.

I feel really alone with this. My friends are buying houses, getting married and having babies. I need someone to talk to who understands how I’m feeling. Someone who is in the same boat.

Three of Australiaâ€™s most distinguished younger poets will reading their work and keep you entertained with a panel discussion about poetry in Australia today.

Fiona Wrightâ€™s (@WritesFiona)Â first collection of poems,Â KnuckledÂ was published in 2011.Â Josephine RoweÂ (@JosephineRowe)Â is both a poet and a short fiction writer, her most recently collection of stories wasÂ Tarcutta Wake.Â LK HoltÂ is the author of the collectionsÂ Patience,Â MutinyÂ andÂ Man Wolf Man. Join these poets in conversation withÂ Nicholas Jose.

From 5pm I’ll be back at the West Stage forÂ Cold Cold Ground. You’ll be able to catch snippets ofÂ Irish bornÂ Adrian McKinty‘sÂ (@unitedirishman) session. He’sÂ been described as a master of modern Noir. Born in Belfast, McKinty read law, politics and philosophy before moving to Harlem, New York City â€“ all of which feature in his clever and violent novels. He is the author of two trilogies, one crime, the other YA, as well as stand alone novels includingÂ Fifty Grand. Most recently he has publishedÂ The Cold, Cold Ground. Join him in conversation withÂ Nick Prescott.

From the triumph of the Roman Republic to the Persian Empire, from Europe in the year 1000 to the birth of Islam, English historianÂ Tom HollandÂ (@holland_tom) has explored the epic adventures of our ancient past.

Author ofÂ Rubicon: The Triumph and Tragedy of the Roman Republic,Persian Fire,Â MillenniumÂ and most recentlyÂ In the Shadow of the Sword, Holland is one of the most celebrated and best-selling historians in the world. Hollandâ€™s formidable histories are as compelling as they are meticulous; they are as remarkable for their scholarship as they are for their readability. This award-winning writer is a must-see for anyone curious about the ancient world. Join him in conversation withÂ Michael Cathcart.

This session brings together three writers, all of whom identify as feminists.Â Justine LarbalestierÂ (@JustineLavaworm) is a YA and fantasy writer, playwrightÂ Bryony LaveryÂ is the author of iconic works includingÂ ThursdayÂ andÂ Chika UnigweÂ (@chikaunigwe) is the author of the novelÂ On Black Sisterâ€™s Street, about a group of African women in the sex trade.